Poing, Germany, 21 January, 2013: Avnet Abacus, one of Europe’s leading interconnect, passive, electro-mechanical and power distributors and a business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, a business region of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), has announced the availability of Grid-EYE, a unique new passive infrared array sensor developed by Panasonic Electric Works, the industrial devices division of Panasonic Corporation.
Based on Panasonic’s advanced MEMS technology, Grid-EYE features 64 thermopile elements in an 8 x 8 grid format. The combination of a built-in thermistor and an integrated circuit (IC) enables temperature sensing in a small Surface Mount Technology (SMT) package, measuring just 11.6 x 4.3 x 8.0mm.
Unlike conventional single thermopile or pyroelectric sensors that only measure temperature at a certain point-of-contact, Grid-EYE enables contactless temperature detection over the entire specified area. Grid-EYE can use passive infrared detection to determine temperature differentiation allowing it to detect multiple objects simultaneously. It is able to measure actual temperature and temperature gradients, providing thermal images and identifying the direction of movement of people or objects.
The device’s 64 pixel range yields accurate temperature sensing, within the range of -20°C to 100°C, over a viewing angle of 60° provided by a silicon lens. It uses an external I²C communication interface, enabling temperature measurement at speeds of 1 or 10 frames/sec. An interrupt function is also available. The operating voltage of the device is 3.3V or 5.0V.
Grid-EYE is ideal for use in a wide range of applications including consumer goods, industrial automation, security systems, digital signage, movement sensing, and healthcare devices.
The new Grid-EYE thermopile array sensor is available to purchase from Avnet Abacus.
About Avnet Abacus
Avnet Abacus is a pan-European demand creation distributor specialising in interconnect, passive, electromechanical, power supply and battery products. Avnet Abacus’ extensive product range and exceptional linecard is supported by a team of over 50 product specialists based across Europe, delivering technical expertise and technology focused initiatives. Avnet Abacus is a business unit of Avnet Electronics Marketing EMEA, a business region of Avnet, Inc., (NYSE:AVT). For more information, visit: www.avnet-abacus.eu or follow us on http://www.twitter.com/Avnet_Abacus
